Faughnan is an instructor of accounting in the School of Business. She started teaching at George Mason University in Fall 1992. She has a BSBA in accounting from Miami University and an MBA in finance from George Washington University.

Faughnan holds an active CPA license in Virginia.

Faughnan began her accounting career with Peat Marwick Mitchell (now KPMG) in Harrisburg PA as a staff accountant. She remained in public accounting until she then began a career in banking and consulting.